Israel warns EU over Jerusalem issue

Jerusalem: Israel today warned the European
Union against its purported plan to recognise a unilateral
Palestinian declaration of statehood by dividing Jerusalem,
saying it would harm efforts to renew peace negotiations.

"The process being led by Sweden harms the European
Union`s ability to take part as a significant mediator in the
political process between Israel and the Palestinians," the
Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"After the important steps taken by the government of
Israel to enable the resumption of negotiations with the
Palestinians, the European Union must now exert pressure on
the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Steps
like those being led by Sweden only contribute to the opposite
effect," the statement said.

Israeli daily Ha`aretz reported today that EU foreign
ministers are expected to officially call next week for
Jerusalem to be divided so as to serve as the capitals of both
Israel and a future Palestine state.

A draft document, authored by the current holder of
the rotating EU presidency, Sweden, and in possession of the
daily, implies that the European Union would recognise a
unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.

The Jewish state is waging a diplomatic campaign to
stop the EU from issuing such an endorsement, but diplomats
close to the deliberations believe it is "virtually
inevitable".